Marketing Türkiye / Istanbulites Said “Istanbul is Calling” in London

N Kolay has been the sponsor of the Istanbul Film Festival for two years… Even though they couldn’t promote it well last year due to a last-minute decision, this year they are determined to engage in strong communication.

We were in London with Aktif Bank’s General Manager Ayşegül Adaca to attend the gala night organized for IKSV’s “Young Artist Fund” in London. The gala took place at the Natural History Museum London, and the invitation code was “Istanbul Calling.”

Art lovers, collectors, and prominent figures from the business world who wanted to contribute to young artists from our country gathered in London. Attendees either purchased tables or tickets corresponding to their participation.

The price of a table was 15,000 pounds. Although the attendance limit was set at 450 people, with last-minute attendees, the number exceeded 470. Some tables appeared crowded.

IKSV’s General Manager Görgün Taner greeted guests at the entrance of the grand museum, visibly pleased. His satisfaction continued throughout the auction.

Bülent Eczacıbaşı personally shook hands with the guests, welcoming them to the event.

The sponsor of the “Istanbul Calling Special Gala Night” was Istanbul Portfolio. Vitra was a partner sponsor, while other sponsors announced with great contributions included the renowned auction house Christie’s and Mey Diageo. Although not visible on the materials, Eren Holding was also among the sponsors.

Six works of art that collectors would want to own were sold at auction. The acrylic and gold leaf artwork on handmade paper by Erol Akyavaş, donated by Ilona Akyavaş, was sold for 45,000 pounds; the abstract composition by Nejad Devrim on paper with gouache, donated by Veronica Devrim, for 22,000 pounds; the 3 Marabu stainless steel sculpture with electrostatic paint by Osman Dinç for 20,000 pounds; the untitled oil painting donated by the İyem family for 18,000 pounds; the unnamed high-fired ceramic donated by Alev Ebuzziya Siesbye for 45,000 pounds; and the oil painting on wood by Fausto Zonaro, from the personal collection of Professor Dr. Münir Ekonomi, for 24,000 pounds. The auction was conducted by Beatriz Ordovas, Christie’s Global Director.

The auction for the six important works raised a total of 174,000 pounds (226,000 dollars – 7.7 million Turkish lira). Görgün Taner, who had hoped for “300,000 pounds if everything goes as expected,” was satisfied when ticket sales were factored in, and the goal was met and even exceeded.

A surprise for the attendees was the evening’s host, Halit Ergenç. Ergenç gave an emotional speech at the beginning, saying, “We started dreaming in 2022, and we want to continue these dreams for the next 50 years.” This was also the message of Bülent Eczacıbaşı, who gave the opening speech about dreams for the future:

“We see Istanbul as a center of art, and with the message of Istanbul Calling that gives its name to this night, we are working to realize our dream by inviting all art lovers to the future. We believe that being able to touch young people’s lives is very valuable.”

The team behind the “Istanbul Calling Special Gala Night,” organized by IKSV in support of the “Young Artist Fund,” consisted of the following names: Atamer Koşkun, Burak Kayıkçı, Dilan Beyhan, Didem Ermiş Sezer, Erim Pala, Erim Şerifoğlu, Görgün Taner, Kamil Kulaksız, Kevser Güler, Melis Turanlıgil, Mustafa Yegen, Okşan Atilla Sanön, Pelin Kuş, Yeşim Gürer Oymak, Zeynep Karaman, and Zeynep Pekgöz.

Business leaders were also present at the event, attended by Turkey’s Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş: Ahmet Eren, Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, Barış Öney, Bekir Kaya, Cem Köksal, Derviş Çokyaşar, Emin Hitay, Ergun Özen, Hamdi Akın, Hanzade Doğan Boyner, Hasan Ulusoy, Levent Kızıl, Mehmet Kutman, Melkan Gürsel, Nezih Barut, Oya Eczacıbaşı, Öznur Yakın, Ruken Mızraklı, Serhat Çeçen, Serpil Timuray, Suzan Sabancı, Şule Zorlu, Tufan Deriner, Tülay Güngen, Zehra Öney…

Bülent Eczacıbaşı: “Funding for culture and art is a problem everywhere”

Later in the evening, Bülent Eczacıbaşı answered questions from the press, saying:

“The foundation’s activities are very important because the state’s resources are limited. Funds allocated to culture have been naturally reduced. They are doing their best, let me say that. Istanbul Modern has truly become a renowned museum today. Over the years, support has always been given to IKSV. Now, when you look at it, these supports may seem small. But people who are closely involved in these matters abroad tell me, ‘Mr. Bülent, you are actually lucky because in many countries, the activities you undertake are funded 40% to 50% by public and local authorities.’ Although we wish for more support, public support will decrease everywhere. I don’t know how it will happen, but eventually, a balance will be found… In the end, funding for culture and art is a problem everywhere. There are major art events in the world that we try to emulate. We are trying to play in those leagues, but of course, our resources are not comparable… That’s why we must increase private sector support. We hope that public support will also increase over time. Every country will finance culture and art according to its traditions, institutions, and habits. There is no other way! There is a crowd in London that is close to culture and the arts, and they are with us tonight. We are very happy with the interest we have encountered. It is a very valuable treasure for us…”

The attendees of the gala were mostly from Istanbul. English guests interested in art also attended, and another supporter of the evening, as mentioned by Bülent Eczacıbaşı, was his very close and longtime friend, Erol Evgin.

The 77-year-old artist Erol Evgin, who performed at IKSV’s “Young Talent Fund” benefit night at the Natural History Museum in London, pointed to the whale fossil hanging from the ceiling of the hall and made this joke: “There used to be a dinosaur here. I asked the museum management, ‘Don’t create competition, don’t let that dinosaur be there while I’m on stage,’ and they changed it…”